THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON

May 14, 1951

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS THE

JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE

CHAIRMEN OF BOARDS, COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES, OSD DIRECTORS OF 

OFFICES, OSD

SUBJECT: Armed Services Technical Information Agency

1. The attached directive for the Armed Services Technical 

Information Agency is effective this date.

2. The Director of the Agency and the members of the 

Advisory Council shall be appointed forthwith. The Director, 

with the assistance of the Advisory Council, shall prepare a 

detailed plan for implementation of this directive, after 

consultation with representatives of the National Science 

Foundation, the Research and Development Board, and the military

departments. This plan shall be submitted by the Secretary of

the Air Force, as managing agent, to the Research and Development

Board for policy guidance as specified in the directive.

3. It is intended that the foregoing steps shall be 

completed in sufficient time so that the Agency may become 

fully operative as of 1 July 1951.
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

WASHING-TON

DIRECTIVE

ARMED SERVICES TECHNICAL INFORMATION AGENCY

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense by

the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, there is hereby 

established the Armed Services Technical Information Agency (hereinafter

called the “Agency”) as a joint project under the policy direction of

the Research and Development Board and the :management control of the 

Department of the Air Force with the responsibility of providing an

integrated program of scientific and technical report services for the

Department of Defense and its contractors.

I. Duties

Subject to the authority of the Secretary of Defense and under the 

policy direction of the Research and Development Board, the Agency shall 

perform the duties listed below in consonance with the requirements of the 

various agencies of the Department of Defense:

1. Collect, index, catalogue, and provide storage far 

scientific and technical reports obtained from the following 

sources: Military Departments; contractors of the Military 

Departments; non-military domestic sources; and foreign sources.

2.Prepare and distribute digests and abstracts of scientific and 

technical reports for the Department of Defense and its contractors 

in order to acquaint the Military Departments and contractors with

the information which is available.

3. Furnish bibliographical lists as requested.

4. Provide adequate distribution of scientific and technical reports 

and other documents to the Department of Defense and its contractors on 

either a loan or retention basis.

5.Furnish similar and related services as required in 

the interest of efficient and economical dissemination of 

scientific information and utilization of scientific 

documents.

6. Coordinate the activities of local technical information 

services in the Department of Defense with the activities of the Agency.
7. Maintain Department of Defense liaison with the

Department of Commerce, and other government agencies which collect 

and disseminate scientific and technical information.

II. Administration

1. The Secretary of the Air Force, as Managing Agent for 

the Secretary of Defense shall be responsible for the operations of

the agency and shall provide the Director of the Agency with such 

personnel, facilities and other administrative services as may be

required to insure its efficient operation.

2. The Secretary of the Air Force with the concurrence of 

the Chairman of the Research and Development Board, and the

other military secretaries, and with the approval of the Secretary of

Defense, shall appoint a Director of the Agency. The Director of

the Agency, if a military officer shall be appointed for a term 

of four years and shall be eligible for one re-appointment to the 

extent approved in accordance with applicable law.

3. The Secretary of the Air Force shall provide for an

Advisory Council to assist the Director in the operations of the 

Agency. The Advisory Council will consist of one member from each 

service to be appointed by the Secretary thereof. Members of the 

Advisory Council will serve as direct liaison between the Agency and

their respective Military Departments.

4. The Director of the Agency shall, subject to the approval 

of the Secretary of the Air Force as Managing Agent, provide for

the internal organization of the Agency and shall establish its rules of

procedure. The staff of the Agency shall be responsible to and shall

function under the supervision of the Director.

5. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) shall 

arrange with the three Military Departments for financial support 

of the Agency.

III. Relationships

1. The Agency shall coordinate its efforts with all agencies 

within and outside of the Department of Defense which have a mutual 

interest or responsibility with respect to any of its programs.

2. The Director and the staff of the Agency are authorized 

and expected to communicate directly and expeditiously with other 

agencies of the Department of Defense and appropriate sub-divisions 

thereof, concerning any matter within its jurisdiction and in which 

there exists a mutual interest or responsibility.

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3. Services of the Agency shall be available to all 

Department of Defense agencies and their contractors.

4. All agencies of the Department of Defense shall 

cooperate fully in assisting the Agency in the performance of 

its missions.

5. Each service will designate properly qualified 

personnel at appropriate echelons for liaison purposes.

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